Turtle-Flambeau Flowage

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage

Size
13,000ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Turtle-Flambeau Flowage
Bluegill
Bluegill
Walleye
Walleye
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Crappie
Crappie
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Rock bass
Rock bass
Sturgeon
Sturgeon
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Perch
Perch
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike

Overview

Preserved by the state, this area is a Mecca to both land and water recreation. Walleye are the dominant species. Trophy muskie over 50 are taken. Smallmouth numbers are increasing. 14,326 acres

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Special Waterbody Regulations

  • Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with 1 hook, bait, or lure per angler, and 3 hooks, baits, or lures maximum per boat.

Special Species Regulations

  • Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
  • Crappies: Open all year: Minimum length for crappies is 10” and bag limit for panfish is 10 in total
  • Flathead catfish: See Catfish.
  • Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass.
  • Longnose gar: See Rough Fish.
  • Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
  • Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish.
  • Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply.
  • Channel catfish: See Catfish.
  • Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
  • Bowfin: See Rough Fish.
  • Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: Walleye must be at least 12 inches, and only one may be over 15 inches. The daily bag limit is 3
  • Bullheads: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Catfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
  • Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
  • Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 24, 2025 to December 31, 2025: The minimum length limit is 50”, and the daily bag limit is 1
  • Northern pike: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: June 21, 2025 to March 1, 2026: No minimum length, but largemouth bass and smallmouth bass from 14” to 18” may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 18 is allowed. The daily bag limit is 5
  • Largemouth bass: May 3, 2025 to June 20, 2025: No minimum length, but largemouth bass from 14” to 18” may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 18 is allowed. The daily bag limit is 5
  • Smallmouth bass: May 3, 2025 to June 20, 2025: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only)
  • Paddlefish: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Rock, Yellow, and White Bass: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Rough fish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Round goby: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
  • Ruffe: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
  • Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer.
  • White perch: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
  • Bluegill: See Panfish.

Features

The “wild and wonderful” Turtle Flambeau remains one of Wisconsin’s outstanding fishing destinations. The flowage was created in 1926 when the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company constructed a dam on the Flambeau River. The dam flooded 11 natural lakes and formed an impoundment of 14,326 acres. In 1990 the State of Wisconsin purchased 12,000 acres of surrounding land, 114 miles of shoreline and 195 islands. The outstanding wilderness aesthetics are a major attraction. The Turtle Flambeau Flowage is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to protect the plant and wildlife communities and preserve its scenic qualities. The Wisconsin DNR allows primitive camping on a first-come first-serve basis at designated sites. The camping areas are only accessible by water and at the present time, a fee is not charged. The flowage has the highest number of bald eagle, osprey and common loon breeding pairs in any Wisconsin lake. Shore birds and migratory waterfowl use the flowage as a breeding and staging area. Anglers and boaters should be aware of the many unmarked shallow rock bars and submerged stumps that can cause navigation problems. Floating wood is always a consideration for navigation.

Forage

Walleye prey heavily on young-of-the-year perch and minnow species. Mayfly larvae and crayfish are significant for walleye and smallmouth bass. Muskie feed primarily on white sucker. Golden shiner and bluntnose minnows are also present. Small numbers of cisco are present in the deeper water of the main lake basins.

Seasonal Movements

The largest concentration of spawning walleye occurs at the Turtle River inlet below Lake of the Falls. This area is protected as a seasonal fish refuge during the spawning period. Spawning fish also utilize the Flambeau and Manitowish rivers. The Manitowish River also has a fish refuge in spring. Due to warmer temperatures, this run usually occurs one week before the Turtle River migration. Walleye also spawn along the many miles of gravel and rock shoreline in the flowage and in the “beaver flats” region.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
1.4699
0Statewide Range26.8087

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
May
2024
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20249
20229
20219
20199
20189
Crappie
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.2338
0Statewide Range1.11295

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
May
2024
Jun
Largemouth bass
fish
8-12 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
2.973
0Statewide Range83.5649

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2024
Jun
2024
Sep
Muskellunge
fish
8-12 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
2.973
0Statewide Range6.56125

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Muskellunge abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2024
Jun
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized muskellunge based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201648
Northern pike
fish
8-12 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
0.8108
0Statewide Range16.72075

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2024
Jun
2024
Sep
Perch
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.0139
0Statewide Range0.7271

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
May
2024
Jun
Pumpkinseed
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.419
0Statewide Range0.40725

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
May
2024
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized pumpkinseed based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201610
Rock bass
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.1042
0Statewide Range0.32635

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
May
2024
Jun
Smallmouth bass
fish
8-12 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
6.2162
0Statewide Range80.5292

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Smallmouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2024
Jun
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized smallmouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202418
202319
202220
201918
201818
Sturgeon
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Tiger muskellunge
fish
22-23 in
Length Range
23 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
0.3046
0Statewide Range1.23015

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Tiger muskellunge abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
May
2023
May
Walleye
fish
8-12 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
256.4865
0Statewide Range75.60845

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2024
Jun
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201629